Influence of high-frequency electromagnetic fields of mobile communication on the metabolic rate in rodents - 3606S04508
urn:nbn:de:0221-2009011272
BfS-RESFOR-07/09
Summary
The aim of this project was to clarify if previously documented effects on body mass in GSM-exposed animals may be due to metabolic effects below thermal threshold. Male Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were continuously sham-exposed or exposed for one week to GSM-type electromagnetic fields at SAR levels of 0 (sham), 0.08, 0.4, or 4 W/kg, while carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption were recorded in the exhaled air. Once per day temperatures of fur and eyes were recorded non-invasively by means of infrared thermography to assess heat loss through the skin and a surrogate for body core temperature, respectively. The results demonstrate first of all the suitability of the experimental design and show that follow-up studies are possible. Effects of exposure were seen only at the highest SAR level of 4 W/kg. Fur temperatures were found to be significantly elevated by approximately 0.5°C which indicates an exposure-related increase of heat loss through the skin. The temperatures of the eyes, however, were unaffected indicating that the absorbed energy could be compensated by increased heat loss through the skin without effects on core temperature. Only at 4 W/kg a significantly decreased food consumption was observed while the consumption of water was unchanged. Effects on carbon dioxide production were seen again only at highest exposure levels with significantly decreased levels during the day. Also the respiratory quotient was slightly, but significantly reduced during the day at 4 W/kg. In summary, the results of this study are in good agreement with the hypothesis and allow concluding that at high SAR levels metabolic processes may be affected which warrants further investigations in different animal species.
